CRESSING BARNS

MEDIEVAL BARNS FOR WEDDINGS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Welcome to Cressing Barns

Cressing Barns at Cressing Temple is a historical site rich with ancient history in Witham, Essex and home to unique spaces, the ideal venue for weddings, entertainment, functions and corporate events.

About

Cressing Temple itself is steeped in history dating back to the 1100’s when it was given to the Knights Templar and home to three Grade I listed barns as well as Tudor built Walled Gardens.

In the 13th Century the Barley and Wheat Barns were constructed, which are described by the historian Michael Haag as being “the two finest Templar-built barns in Europe”. The Granary barn was built some time later in the 16th Century and is the largest granary in Essex.

Barley Barn

The oldest of the two major barns is Barley Barn. Tree-ring dating suggests that it was constructed between 1205-1235. It stretches 118 feet and is 45 feet wide, with 5 equal bays and a half bay at each end. In the 1420 Hospitaller rebuilding the structure was shortened and narrowed. The roof was rebuilt on a crown-post model in the 16th century. One intriguing theory is that the barn was not built where it now stands, but was brought here from elsewhere on the Cressing site after the riots of 1381.

Wheat Barn

Built about 50 years after Barley Barn, Wheat Barn was created with trees felled between 1257 and 1280. The posts supporting the roof structure were placed directly into the ground or on stone bases. Obviously construction techniques had evolved in the time since Barley Barn was built and the joints between the posts and braces are more complex and include secret notched-lap joints. The western side wall was rebuilt in the 15th century when a large porch was added, and the studs placed more closely together.

The walls were originally faced with boards, but in the 16th century the boards were replaced with bricks. By this tiome the original soleplates (the timbers that the whole structure rested on) were rotting away, so the barn was raised up on a brick plinth. Over the next few centuries more braces were added to arrest sagging. During the Victorian restorations several of the workment carved their initials and the date into the timbers.

The Granary

A two-storey early 16th century timber framed building erected by William Smyth, with 10 bays. Later adapted for use as a malting house, it is one of the earliest maltings in the county. In the 19th century it was converted for use as a stable and chaff room. It is also known as The Old Court Room due to its later use for this purpose.

Walled Gardens

Since the former Great House, Tudor mansion was taken down in the 18th Century all that remains of the former Tudor splendor is the Tudor brick built Walled Gardens that once stood behind the mansion. It was once used as a pleasure garden and in later years as a kitchen garden.

Most recently the gardens were redesigned by John Hunter and Martin Wakelin, who restored the gardens to their former glory by meticulously only using plants and features of the Tudor period based on historical studies.

The Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were a 12th century military order of monks whose stated purpose was to protect travellers to the Holy Land.

The manor of Cressing was granted to the Knights Templar in 1136. The Preceptory of Cressing was one of the very earliest Templar estates in England and was placed first in a detailed list of Templar holdings in 1185, it was the largest estate in Essex.

The manor had a mansion house, bakehouse, brewery, dairy, granary, smithy, gardens, a dovecote, a watermill, and a windmill, with a chapel and cemetery dedicated to St Mary. The proceeds from Cressing Temple were all diverted to fund Templar activities in the Crusades.

During the reign of King Edward II the Templar order was suppressed in England, with their estate at Cressing being handed over to the Order of the Knights Hospitaller in 1309, who preserved the Templar documents and charters of Cressing amongst their own records. The Hospitaller manor of Cressing Temple was dissolved in 1540, soon after the last monasteries, and on 8 July 1541, King Henry VIII granted the manor and lordship of Cressing to Sir William Huse and John Smyth, whose family held until 1657.

Weddings

Cressing Barns is the perfect venue for weddings, civil partnerships and ceremonies.

We can cater for small or large events of up to 300 guests in one of our medieval barns and also cater for smaller ceremonies in our Walled Garden. If you require larger numbers a marquee can be arranged.

All of our packages can be tailored to suit individual requirements and all events come with a dedicated co-ordinator who will be on hand in the run up to the event and on the big day.

Check out some sample packages below or just book an appointment to see us and get a personalised quote.

Boleyn
Package

Dedicated wedding co-ordinator

Full support and additional upgrades available

Venue hire to include Late Ceremony & Reception

Reception drink per person from our seasonal list

Fresh hog roast served with rolls and apple sauce, carved in front of your guests served with salads/sides or the choice of a finger buffet